Manchester City mean business in the January window. They have already signed Antoine Semenyo, the Ghana international joining from Bournemouth. And they’re expected to confirm the addition of Marc Guehi before long.
The Crystal Palace skipper was tipped to depart Selhurst Park over the summer. A move to Liverpool fell through at the 11th hour, leaving the Reds short of a defender and Guehi frustrated that a move failed to materialise.
Fast-forward to the present day, and Liverpool remain in the market for a centre-back. It’s a shame for them, and other interested parties, to have missed out on a player of Guehi’s calibre. However, there are other top-tier defenders on the market that Liverpool can target.
Here we run through a handful of centre-backs the defending champions can move for in the final weeks of the January window.
Jeremy Jacquet - Rennes
One of the most promising young centre-backs in France, Jeremy Jacquet has previously been linked with a move to Liverpool. The 20-year-old has established himself as a key man for Rennes, starting all but one of their 17 league matches this season.
Jacquet is an aggressive, ball-playing defender, and widely considered to be one of the best modern-day centre-backs on the continent. With a desire to step out from defence to cut out attacking threats, Jacquet is able to maximise his distribution when he does win the ball.
The Rennes man boasts a notable 91% pass success rate from 58 passes per 90 in Ligue 1 this season, a fine feat when you consider the French side rank eighth for possession (50.7%) in the 2025/26 campaign.
While Jacquet doesn’t necessarily dive into challenges, when he does need to get stuck in; few often get the better of the Frenchman. Indeed, a 92.6% tackle success rate is the second best in Ligue 1 this season. Jacquet certainly has the ability to transition from Ligue 1 to the Premier League. The rising French star could be the ideal Guehi alternative.
They’d need to act quickly, however, with Chelsea reportedly sniffing around Jacquet as the Blues consider adding a new centre-back this month.
Jacobo Ramon - Como
Jacobo Ramon only moved to Como last summer, yet he’s established himself as one of the most talented young centre-backs in Europe. Nico Paz may be the star performer for the Serie A side, yet the Spanish defender warrants ample praise.
Como boast the second best defensive record in Serie A. Only Roma (12) have conceded more goals than Cesc Fabregas’ side (16) in Italy’s top tier this term. The towering Ramon has been central to their nigh-on watertight backline.
A real presence at the back, Ramon has won the sixth most aerial duels (57) in division, and ranks among the top 25 players for clearances (76). However, it’s when on the ball that fans see the 21-year-old at his best. Como rank top for possession (61.1%) in the 2025/26 Serie A campaign.
A 91.4% pass success rate - the 10th highest - from 66.5 passes per 90 is a fine haul. Deceptively quick across the ground despite his size, Ramon has been likened to current Reds skipper Virgil van Dijk. A product of the Real Madrid academy, the Spanish giants inserted a number of clauses into the deal that took Ramon to Italy in the first place, which may complicate any hopes of an Anfield switch.
Giorgio Scalvini - Atalanta
Newcastle are long-term admirers of gargantuan Atalanta centre-back Girgio Scalvini, and it’s easy to see why. The Italian is considered the modern ball-playing defender, whose forward-thinking approach is key to the way La Dea play.
The way with which Scalvini helps to transition from defence to attack is one of key reasons why there is Premier League interest. Combined with a proactive approach to protecting the Atalanta goal, Scalvini has what it takes - both physically and mentally - of adjusting to English football with ease.
There is, though, a reason why interested parties are yet to firm up their interest in the 22-year-old. Indeed, Scalvini suffered a cruciate ligament tear in 2023, and then a severe shoulder injury in 2025. He’s started a combined 10 league matches since the start of the 2024/25 campaign owing to spells on the sidelines.
This season alone Scalvini has made just six league starts owing to respective adductor and hamstring complaints. Given the way Liverpool defenders are expected to operate, signing Scalvini would pose a significant risk. Playing wise, he’d be the perfect fit. Ongoing injury concerns, however, suggest the Reds would be better suited looking elsewhere.
Castello Lukeba - RB Leipzig
Despite losing star attackers Benjamin Sesko, Xavi Simons and Lois Openda last summer, RB Leipzig have made a commendable start to the season. They currently sit third in the Bundesliga, albeit 15 points behind league leaders Bayern Munich.
In addition, they have conceded the third fewest goals (19) in Germany’s top tier this term, with Castello Lukeba key at the back. The Frenchman is central to their resolve owing to his proactive, aggressive defending and his fine reading of the game.
With a desire to push high to win the ball in an area where he can then maximise his range of passing, no centre-back has won possession in the midfield third more times than Lukeba (39) in the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign.
The 23-year-old boasts a commendable 90.1% pass success rate from 68.9% passes per 90, so is a handy distributor. Extremely quick, Lukeba is able to cover ground with considerable ease. Combined with his experience at the top level, Lukeba could prove a shrewd centre-back addition for Arne Slot’s side.
